Sponsored by Caesars Windsor/OLG
Canadian Club Brand Centre
Tish Harcus
The Canadian Club Brand Centre, located at 2072 Riverside Dr. E., allows patrons and tourists to learn about Canadian Whisky on the site where it all began.
Manager and brand ambassador Tish Harcus is the founding manager of the Canadian Club Brand Heritage Centre and transformed an architectural anecdote into a tourism leader. She is the recipient of the International Whisky Visitor Centre Manager of the Year Award for both 2013 and 2014.
Harcus implemented a number of growth strategies including an increased number of tours, private VIP tours, additional time slots for wedding photography rentals, frequent visitors card, Women and Whisky society and a loyalty program for corporate clients. Canadian Club Brand Centre also recently began a Prohibition Tour – a highlighted tour designed to address those who prefer a shorter tour experience.
The Canadian Club Brand Centre further expanded by opening an online store on Amazon and with its “Made in Windsor” gift shop items campaign.
To support tourism in the area, it partners with other tourism vendors such as The Rum Runners Tour, Windsor Essex Trolley Tours, Windsor River Cruises, Lakeshore Excursions, Great Adventure Tours, and Windsor Eats.
The Canadian Club Brand Centre supports many causes including In Honour of the Ones We Love, Children’s Aid Society Windsor-Essex, and Windsor Youth Centre. It has also made donations to private and public charitable causes.
Harcus is involved with sports tourism and has offered discounted rates and customized packages for the large number of sports tourists and activities in Windsor-Essex.
The Iron Kettle Bed and Breakfast
Benjamin Leblanc-Beaudoin
The Iron Kettle Bed and Breakfast, located at 7005 County Rd. 46 in Comber, opened in April 2014 and has set out to be the premier accommodations and special event space in Essex County. Primarily a Bed and Breakfast, The Iron Kettle also offers catering service and a venue space for special events and occasions. They are committed to sourcing the highest quality ingredients from local farmers and producers.
The Iron Kettle is owned and operated by Benjamin and Ginette Leblanc-Beaudoin. Since opening, they have been contestants on Chopped Canada, selected as a finalist for the TIAO Champion of the Year Award, partnered with Big O’ Conservation Area of the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, and were Ambassadors of the Local Food movement achieving a FEAST ON Local food designation.
In order to be immersed in the community, The Iron Kettle decided to contribute to local organizations as well as committees that benefit the region as a tourism destination.
The Iron Kettle have volunteered for and sponsored the St-Francis Xavier Catholic Women’s League, Town of Lakeshore Kids Camps, Comber Baseball Team, Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windsor Essex, Guatemala Hope, Tim Horton’s Kids Camps, and IODE, Comber Chapter, among many others. They were also participants in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windsor Essex Foundation Battle of the Hors d’oeuvres and in the launch of the Good Food Charter of Windsor Essex County.
The Iron Kettle created a healthy eating campaign with the French school board CSC Providence to promote healthy eating and healthy decisions in elementary and high schools across Southwestern Ontario.
Rochester Place Golf Club and Resort
Paul St. Pierre
Rochester Place Golf Club and Resort, located at 981-991 County Rd. #2 in Belle River, is part of the Landscape Effects Group of Companies. Their vision was to establish the location as a “go-to” spot for cottages (recreational living), dining (Parkside Grill), weddings, events, and golf—raising the bar on each of these elements respectively all with exceptional hospitality.
Expansions to date within the golf course include re-shaping and contouring of 15 holes thus far, increase in water hazards, change of par levels, cart path improvements, and a new fleet of golf carts. Future developments are set to include changes in tee deck placements, completion of an in-ground pool oasis in the middle of the golf course, and continued hole re-shaping and beautification.
In addition to changes on the golf course their restaurant, Parkside Grille, expanded its menu selection and offerings to cater not only to golfers but families, couples, and surrounding corporate businesses.
The Resort developed a signature line of cottages called the Red Tree Collection, exclusive to Rochester Place Golf Club & Resort. There are currently eight different models and layouts to view offering a modern and unique twist to seasonal resort living in Southwestern Ontario.
Rochester Place supports a number of organizations including Transition to Betterness, 100 Men Who Care, Windsor Essex Care for Kids, and the Windsor Essex Community Foundation. Community charity involvements have included participation in food drives to support the local food bank, Windsor Essex County Cancer Centre Foundation, participation in a yearly Christmas toy drive and family sponsorship program and more.
